Restaurant Chain Growth Report 03/08/16

Growing Concepts of Multi Unit Operators Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units).

State College, PA-based DANTE’S RESTAURANTS (founded 1963) has added a new concept called Liberty Craft House. Other company concepts are Bar Bleu (1), Hi-way Pizza (1), Inferno Brick Oven & Bar (1), Mario’s Italian Restaurant (1), The Deli & Z-bar (1) and The Saloon (1). Overall company increase was from 6 to 7 (17% growth). The restaurants are family/casual, serving pizza and Italian cuisine. Per person check average is $10-$30+, with full bar and average seating for about 150. Catering and banquet facilities are available. All the locations are in PA.

New York-based UNCLE JACK’S STEAKHOUSE (founded 1990) has added a new concept called Uncle Jack’s Steak Sandwich. Other concepts include Jack’s Shack (1) and Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse (3). Overall company increase was from 4 to 5 (25% company growth). The steakhouses are upscale, with a $15-$50+ per person check average. Jack’s Shack is a family/casual eatery, serving American cuisine. Uncle Jack’s Steak Sandwich is a quick serve sandwich concept. Average unit has full bar service, with seating for about 150. Online ordering and private party services are available. All the restaurants are in NY.

Mountain Brook, AL-based SURIN OF THAILAND has increased by 1 unit, from 6 to 7 (17% growth) and entered into WV. This family/casual Thai restaurant concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30+ per person check average. The restaurants have full bar service and average seating for about 150. Trading areas are AL, GA, MS, TN and WV.

Woodland Hills, CA-based GRILL CONCEPTS (founded 1984) has increased by 3 units for the Public School on Tap concept, from 4 to 7 (75% concept growth). Other company concepts are Daily Grill (16), Grill On The Alley (7) and In Short Order (1). The restaurants are family/casual, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30+ per person check average. Locations have full bar service and average seating for about 200. Catering, delivery, online ordering and private party facilities are available. Trading areas are CA, DC, FL, IL, MD, NV, OK, OR, TX and WA.

Jackson, MS-based EAT HERE BRANDS (founded 2012) has increased by 1 unit for the Babalu Tacos & Tapas concept, from 2 to 3 (50% concept growth) and entered into AL. Other company concepts are Five Guys Burgers & Fries (5), Interim Restaurant & Bar (1) and Table 100 Restaurant & Bar (1). Overall company increase was from 9 to 10 (11% growth). The restaurants are family/casual, serving multiple cuisine types. The average location has full bar service and seating for about 200. Banquet rooms are available. Trading areas are AL, MS and TN.

Emerging and Re-emerging ConceptsConcepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.

Fort Wayne, IN-based EDDIE MERLOT’S PRIME AGED BEEF AND SEAFOOD (founded 2001) has increased by 2 units, from 10 to 12 (20% growth) and entered into AZ and CO. This upscale steakhouse concept is open for dinner only, with a $15-$50+ per person check average. The restaurants have full bar service and average seating for about 150. Catering and banquet rooms are available. Trading areas are AZ, CO, IL, IN, KY, MI, OH and PA.

Kansas-based MINSKY’S PIZZA (founded 1976) has increased by 1 unit for the Minsky’s Pizza concept, from 15 to 16 (7% concept growth) and added a new concept called Night & Day Gourmet. Other concepts are Eggtc (2) and Osteria Il Centro (1). Overall company increase was from 18 to 20 (11% company growth). The restaurants are family/casual, open for lunch and dinner, serving pizza and Italian cuisine. Per person check average is $8-$20+, with full bar service and seating for about 80. Catering, delivery, online ordering and private party facilities are available. Trading areas are KS and MO.

Repeat GrowersConcepts previously written about in the past 18 months.

Meridian, CT-based FRANK PEPE’S PIZZERIA (founded 1925) has increased by 1 unit, from 8 to 9 (13% growth). This family/casual concept is open for lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20+ per person check average. Average seating is for about 50. Beer and wine are served at select locations. Private party rooms are available. Trading areas are CT, MA and NY. We last featured this company on 9/30/14 (17% growth).

The Colony, TX-based PIE FIVE PIZZA CO (founded 2011) has increased by 61 units, from 44 to 105 (139% growth) and entered into AR, AZ, CO, DE, GA, IA, IN, KY, MI, MN, MS and WI. The restaurants are fast casual, open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person check average. Beer and wine are served and seating is for about 100. Catering is available. The restaurants are franchised and trade in AL, AR, AZ, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, OK, TN, TX, UT, VA and WI. We wrote about this concept on 1/27/15 (120% growth). Pie Five is a subsidiary of Rave Restaurant Group.

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